JP2008194135A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple-structured rice cooker with strong mechanical strength and excellent durability and safety. <P>SOLUTION: The rice cooker 1 includes an inner pot 2 composed of a bottomed cylindrical container whose top is open; a rice cooker body 3 having an opening for housing the inner pot 2 at the upper part and heating means for heating an object to be boiled inside the inner pot 2; and a lid body 14 to close the openings of the inner pot 2 and the rice cooker body 3. One end of the lid body 14 is pivoted to the rice cooker body, and the other end is turnably locked to the rice cooker body 3 by a lid body locking mechanism 23. The outer periphery of the opening of the rice cooker body 3 is covered with a frame cover 6, and at least either one of the frame cover 6 and the lid body 14 is made of a rigid metal material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rice cooker, and more particularly to a rice cooker suitable for a pressure-type cooker that cooks rice by increasing the pressure in the pan.

  In general households, an electric rice cooker has already become one of the necessities, and various types have been developed and are commercially available. This type of rice cooker includes a type that cooks the pressure in the pan at almost normal pressure and a type that cooks by increasing the pressure to a predetermined pressure.

  The latter rice cooker cooks rice to be cooked at a high pressure, for example, about 1.2 atm, simultaneously with heating the cooked food in the pan to a high temperature. This pressure-type rice cooker has a pan that houses the cooked rice, a rice cooker body that houses the pan, and a lid that covers the opening of the pan and the rice cooker body, and the rice cooker body and the lid are Usually, it is made of a resin molded body made of a synthetic resin material. And this cover body is pivotally supported by the rice cooker main body, and the other end is locked by a lock mechanism, and this lock mechanism prevents the cover body from being inadvertently opened during rice cooking.

  However, in such a rice cooker, since the rice cooker body and the lid are made of a resin molded body, these members are exposed to high heat at the time of rice cooking and at the same time a high pressure is applied, so the molded body is thermally deformed and machined. Due to these deformations, the locking mechanism of the lid body is released and the lid body is suddenly opened, and the cooked rice heated to a high temperature scatters from the pan and burns the person. There is a danger of. Therefore, in this type of pressure rice cooker, various devices and improvements have been made to avoid such danger.

  For example, the rice cooker disclosed in Patent Literature 1 described below prevents the lid from being deformed or the lid locking mechanism from being inadvertently removed even when the inside of the pan is in a pressurized state. Specifically, this rice cooker includes a rice cooker body that accommodates the pan, and an openable / closable lid that covers the opening of the rice cooker body, and the lid body includes an upper plate and a lower plate. A reinforcing plate is disposed between the upper and lower plates, and one side of the reinforcing plate is pivotally attached to the rice cooker body, and the other side is fixed to the body by a latching mechanism.

  According to the rice cooker having such a configuration, even if the pressure in the pan is increased during rice cooking and the lid is pushed upward, both ends of the reinforcing plate are pivoted and hooked directly on the rice cooker body. This push-up force is blocked by the reinforcing plate and simultaneously dispersed throughout the lid. As a result, the lid does not open carelessly or the latching mechanism does not come off. In addition, the rice cooker of the following patent document 1 is based on the application of this applicant, and various rice cookers provided with such a lid reinforcement member were developed afterwards, and many are also introduced in the patent gazette (for example, the following) (See Patent Documents 2 to 4).

  For example, the lid reinforcing plate of the rice cooker of Patent Document 2 below is composed of a substantially rectangular reinforcing member extending in the front-rear direction, and this member has a pair of side walls formed by raising both left and right edges, and this side wall. The lid is fixed to the portion. According to this lid reinforcing plate, the strength of the lid body in the front-rear direction is greatly improved. In addition, in the following Patent Document 2, a technique of reinforcing the lid body in the width direction by arranging a reinforcing shaft in the width direction orthogonal to the lid reinforcement plate in the front part of the lid body separately from the lid reinforcement plate. Has also been introduced.

  Moreover, the rice cooker of the following patent document 3 is provided with a metal lid reinforcing plate on the upper surface of the inner lid, and this lid reinforcing plate has a flat portion covering the central portion of the inner lid, and faces upward on both sides thereof. It is comprised by the side wall of the bent front-back direction, and has the structure by which the reinforcement member was fixed with the volt | bolt on the outer side of the side wall. According to this rice cooker, the inner lid is reinforced by the reinforcing plate and the reinforcing member, so that distortion during molding of the inner lid can be absorbed and the overall strength of the lid body is increased.

Furthermore, the reinforcement plate of the following Patent Document 4 has its one side pivotally supported by the rice cooker body, and the other side is latched by the latching portion and the stopper, and the latching portion gradually increases as the pressure in the pan rises. It is configured to be bitten and locked against the stopper.
JP-A-9-103358 (paragraph [0024], FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-40396 (paragraph [0022], FIG. 5) JP 2000-37286 A (paragraph [0015], FIG. 3) Japanese Patent No. 2869389 (paragraphs [0016] to [0019], FIG. 2)

  In any of the above rice cookers of Patent Documents 1 to 4, the lid body is reinforced by the reinforcing member, so that the lid locking mechanism is released and the lid body is opened carelessly as the pressure in the pan rises. Nothing will happen.

  However, in order to attach a reinforcing member to such a lid, first, the lid must be designed to have a structure in which the reinforcing member can be incorporated, and a reinforcing member having a shape conforming to this structure must be prepared. Don't be. If it does so, the reinforcement member which adapts to each cover body will be needed, and if the part of a cover body is included, the number of parts which comprise a cover body will increase, As a result, an assembly, adjustment, etc. will become troublesome. For example, since the reinforcing plate of Patent Document 1 is disposed between the upper and lower plates of the lid, special processing of the lid and the reinforcing plate and assembly work involving fine adjustment are required. Moreover, since the reinforcement plate of the said patent document 2 must be made into the structure which raised the right-and-left both-sides edge part of the substantially square member extended in the front-back direction, and must be integrated in the resin-made cover body, Similar challenges exist. Furthermore, the lid body of Patent Document 3 requires a reinforcing plate and a reinforcing member, which increases the number of parts, and the cover body of Patent Document 4 requires a special mechanism.

  In addition, although these reinforcing members are incorporated in the lid, the lid itself is formed of a synthetic resin material, so that the lid in which this reinforcing member is incorporated undergoes thermal deformation and mechanical deformation in the resin portion, Further, when the secular change is applied, the mechanical strength is lowered, and the lid locking mechanism may be defective. Furthermore, the lid and the rice cooker body are washed with various detergents every time they are used, but the resin part may be discolored by the detergents. In addition, the resin portion is easily scratched, and if such a scratch or the like is attached, the resin portion becomes unsightly.

  In addition, in recent pressure rice cookers, the pressure at the time of rice cooking is further increased from 1.2 atm and rice cooking is started at a pressure of 2.0 atm or higher. For this reason, it is anticipated that the safety standard of this type of pressure rice cooker will be set higher, and if such a high safety standard is established, it will be difficult to cope with the conventional reinforcing members.

  Furthermore, in the conventional rice cooker, the frame cover provided in the opening part of a rice cooker main body is normally formed with the resin material. However, when the frame cover is made of a resin material, the size of the rice cooker body changes due to expansion / contraction due to heat during cooking, etc., so the lid locking mechanism may not function sufficiently. There is. Therefore, if the lid locking mechanism is configured to absorb this expansion / contraction, the structure becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and future revision of safety standards, etc. The purpose of the present invention is a rice cooker with a simple structure, high mechanical strength, and high durability and safety. Is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is that even if the frequently-cleaned lid and frame cover are strongly washed with a detergent or the like, deterioration in aesthetics due to scratches, discoloration or scratches, etc. can be suppressed, and it is easy to wash and maintain a clean state. The purpose is to provide a rice cooker.

  In order to achieve the above object, the rice cooker of the present invention has an inner pot composed of a cylindrical container having an open top and a bottom, and an opening in which the inner pot is accommodated. A rice cooker body provided with a heating means for cooking the cooked rice, and the inner pot and the opening of the rice cooker body are closed, one end is pivotally attached to the rice cooker body, and the other end is locked to the rice cooker body. A rice cooker having a lid that is pivotally locked by a mechanism, and the outer periphery of the opening of the rice cooker body is covered with a frame cover, and the frame cover and the lid are at least Either one is formed of a rigid metal material.

  Moreover, the rice cooker of this invention WHEREIN: The said cover body has an inner cover which closes the opening part of the said rice cooker main body, and a decorative cover which covers the upper surface of this inner cover, The said inner cover and said frame At least one of the covers is formed of the rigid metal material.

  Further, in the rice cooker of the present invention, a hinge mechanism is formed at one end of the outer peripheral edge of the inner lid cover, and a fixing portion to which a lid locking mechanism is attached is formed at the other end, and the opening of the frame cover A fixing portion to which the hinge mechanism is pivotally attached is formed at one end of the peripheral portion, and an attachment portion to which the lid lock mechanism is attached is provided at the other end.

  Moreover, the rice cooker of this invention WHEREIN: The said inner lid cover is mounted | worn with the fixing means which can attach or detach the inner lid which closes the opening part of the said inner pot on the back surface.

  In the rice cooker of the present invention, the inner lid cover is provided with a pressure valve opening mechanism, and a pressure valve member operated by the pressure valve opening mechanism is provided on the upper surface of the inner lid. To do.

  Moreover, the rice cooker of this invention WHEREIN: The mutually opposing surface of the said inner cover cover and frame cover formed with the said rigid metal material is mirror-finished, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the rice cooker according to the present invention, the inner lid cover is formed of the rigid metal material, and a fan for cooling the inner lid cover is disposed between the inner lid cover and the decorative cover. It is characterized by.

  Moreover, the rice cooker of this invention WHEREIN: At least one of a heat insulating material and a heat shield is arrange | positioned at the upper surface of the said inner cover.

  Moreover, the rice cooker of this invention WHEREIN: The U-shaped paddle which consists of a rigid member by which the both ends were rotatably fixed to the side surface of the said rice cooker main body was provided.

  Moreover, the rice cooker of this invention WHEREIN: The said rigid metal material is a die-cast molded object, the molded object by press work or cutting, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the rice cooker of the present invention, the rigid metal material is formed of stainless steel, aluminum or an alloy thereof, and when the rigid metal material is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the surface thereof is oxidized. It is characterized by being processed.

  By providing the above configuration, the present invention has the following excellent effects. That is, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, since at least one member of the lid and the frame cover is formed of a rigid metal material, the mechanical strength is increased, and heat resistance, oil resistance, and chemical resistance are increased. In particular, even when washed with a detergent, no discoloration occurs. Therefore, compared to the conventional technology in which the lid and the frame cover are made of a synthetic resin material, thermal deformation, cracks, etc. are less likely to occur, and cleanliness can be maintained without discoloration even if washed strongly with various detergents. And excellent durability. In particular, when both the lid and the frame cover are made of a rigid metal material, the strength of both increases, and it becomes possible to effectively apply the pressure rice cooker that cooks rice at a higher pressure.

  Moreover, according to the rice cooker of this invention, while forming the whole inner cover cover among rigid bodies with a rigid metal material, while exhibiting the above-mentioned effect, the cover reinforcement member required by the prior art becomes unnecessary. In addition, since the lid reinforcing member is not necessary, the lid body can be manufactured extremely easily.

  Further, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, the hinge mechanism and the lid lock mechanism are formed by forming the hinge mechanism at one end of the outer peripheral edge portion of the inner lid cover and the fixing portion to which the lid lock mechanism is fixed at the other end. Is firmly attached, and the fixing and locking with the rice cooker body is firm. In addition, by providing a fixed part to which the hinge mechanism of the lid is pivotally attached at one end of the peripheral edge of the opening of the frame cover and an attaching part to which the lid locking mechanism is attached at the other end, no special parts are used. The shaft support with the lid can be solid.

  Further, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, it is possible to easily attach the inner lid that closes the opening of the inner pot by providing a detachable fixing means on the lower surface of the inner lid cover.

  Moreover, according to the rice cooker of this invention, a pressure type rice cooker is comprised by providing the pressure valve opening mechanism act | operated by the pressure valve opening mechanism on the upper surface of an inner lid cover, and the upper surface of an inner lid. be able to.

  In addition, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, at least one of the opposed surfaces of the inner lid cover and the frame cover is mirror-finished, thereby improving the cleanability of the part subjected to the mirror-finishing and providing a sense of cleanliness and luxury. Can appear.

  Further, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, the inner lid cover is formed of a rigid metal material, and the fan is provided between the inner lid cover and the decorative cover, so that the inner lid cover that reaches a high temperature during rice cooking can be provided. It can be cooled and will not adversely affect other components disposed within the lid.

  Moreover, according to the rice cooker of this invention, the heat which arises in an inner cover cover does not reach other components within a cover by providing a heat insulating material or a heat shield on the upper surface of an inner cover cover.

  In addition, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, the rice cooker whose weight has been increased by providing the metal lid on the rice cooker body, and the inner lid cover and / or the frame cover are formed of the rigid metal material. Even when carrying around, the hand will not be damaged.

  Moreover, according to the rice cooker of this invention, manufacture of an inner cover and / or a frame cover becomes easy by making a rigid metal material into a die-cast molded object, a molded object by press processing, or a molded object by cutting. .

  Further, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, stainless steel, aluminum or an alloy thereof is used as the rigid metal material, and particularly when aluminum or an aluminum alloy is used, the surface of the rigid metal material is covered with a clear coat layer, etc. Since the known anti-oxidation process is performed, the oil resistance and chemical resistance of the inner lid cover and / or the frame cover can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a rice cooker for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention for this rice cooker. Other embodiments within the scope are equally applicable. In addition, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the electric rice cooker according to one embodiment of the present invention with the lid opened, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 with the lid closed. 3 is a plan view of the inner lid cover of the rice cooker of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the inner lid cover of the rice cooker of FIG.

  This electric rice cooker (hereinafter simply referred to as “rice cooker”) 1 is a pressure rice cooker that cooks rice by increasing the pressure in the pan during cooking to about 1.2 atmospheres, for example. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rice cooker 1 has an inner pot 2 made of a cylindrical container having a relatively deep bottom and an upper opening, and the inner pot 2 is accommodated through the opening. The rice cooker main body 3 which has a heating means which heats the to-be-cooked rice in 2 and the lid | cover 14 which can be opened and closed which covers the opening part of the inner pot 2 and the rice cooker main body 3 are provided.

  The inner pot 2 has an inner layer made of a material having high thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum, and an outer layer made of a magnetic material, such as stainless steel, and the inner layer surface is covered with a fluororesin or the like. is doing.

  The rice cooker body 3 has an opening large enough to accommodate the inner pot 2 at the top, an inner case 5 having a bottom and a shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the inner pot 2, and an outside of the opening of the inner case 5. It has a frame cover 6 that covers the periphery and an outer case 4 that covers the outer side of the inner case 5 and the like. The inner case 5 and the outer case 4 are formed of a molded body of synthetic resin material.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame cover 6 covers the outer peripheral edge of the opening of the inner case 5, and the lid 14 is fixed, and is made of a die-cast molded body having a predetermined thickness. Has been. That is, the frame cover 6 has an opening 6A having a size slightly larger than the opening of the inner pot 2 and a peripheral edge 6B having a length that extends outward from the opening 6A and reaches the exterior case 4. peripheral portion 6B is part 6B ₁ mounting flange portion 2A of Uchinabe 2 around the opening 6A is placed is provided, the lid 14 is pivoted to one end of a portion close to the mounting portion 6B ₁ Stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum having a predetermined thickness, for example, 1 to 3 mm, provided with a fixed portion 6C to be provided, and provided with a locking portion 6D for locking the locking mechanism of the lid 14 at the other end. It is formed of a die-cast molded body made of any alloy. For example, when aluminum is used as the die cast molded body, molten aluminum or the like is poured into a mold, and is cooled and solidified. This molded body is aesthetically preferable when the upper surface of the peripheral edge portion 6B in contact with the lid body 14 is mirror-finished by polishing or the like. In addition, although what consists of a die-cast molded body was demonstrated as the frame cover 6 here, if it was formed with the rigid metal material, it may not be a die-cast molded body, for example, about 1-3 mm aluminum plate or stainless steel plate It may be a press machined or a machined machine. Further, when aluminum or an aluminum alloy is used as the frame cover 6, the upper surface of the frame cover 6 is covered with an anti-oxidation clear coat layer or coated with an antioxidant so as to suppress the oxidation of aluminum. It is preferable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting portion 6 </ b> B ₁ has a ring shape having a predetermined width and a flat surface, and a ring-shaped packing member P is mounted on the flat surface. The fixed portion 6 </ b> C is formed by a flange protruding from the upper surface of the peripheral edge portion 6. The locking portion 6D has a hook shape so that the locking claw 23A of the lid lock mechanism 23 is locked. And the peripheral part 6B of this frame cover 6 contacts with the cover body 14, and an internal pressure does not leak.

  Further, a predetermined gap SP is formed between the inner case 5 and the outer case 4, and this gap SP serves as a component mounting space and a ventilation space space. A fan motor 12, a control board (not shown), and the like are attached to the gap SP. By providing the gap SP, the inner case 5 and the outer case 4 can be insulated from each other, and the control board and the like are cooled by driving the fan motor 12.

  Moreover, the side edge part which opposes in the position where the fixing | fixed part 6C and the latching | locking part 6D of the peripheral part 6B are not provided forms the extension part 6E hanging down predetermined length, and this extension part 6E Has a through-hole, and a substantially U-shaped grip 4a is attached to the through-hole through a rotating shaft 4b. The grip 4a is formed of a rigid member, for example, a metal material so that it can withstand the weight of the rice cooker 1 itself, and the rotary shaft 4b is rotatably inserted into through holes provided at both ends thereof. It is fixed by that.

  The inner case 5 is a deep-bottomed cylindrical container having substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the inner pot 2. The bottom 5A of the inner case is provided with an opening 5A 'having a predetermined size at the center thereof, and a temperature sensor 9 for detecting the temperature of the bottom of the inner pot is provided in the opening 5A'. By detecting the temperature at the bottom of the inner pot 2 by the temperature sensor 9, the amount of rice cooked in the inner pot 2 is detected. Further, an electromagnetic induction coil (not shown) that is concentrically wound is mounted on the outer bottom wall surface of the bottom portion 5A. By these electromagnetic induction coils, an eddy current is induced in the inner pot 2 and the inner pot itself is self-heated. Note that a space 7 is provided in the body portion of the inner case 5, and an auxiliary heating coil 8 is provided in the space 7.

  The outer case 4 is a decorative box having a predetermined gap SP between the outer case 4 and a larger outer shape than the inner case 5. An operation panel 10 is mounted on the front surface of the exterior case 4. The operation panel 10 is provided with a display device 11 for displaying various operation switches and setting states set by the operation switches (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 14 includes an inner lid cover 15 having a size that covers the opening of the rice cooker body 3 and a decorative cover that covers the upper surface of the inner lid cover 15 with a predetermined gap. 16 and an inner lid 17 that is detachably attached to the inner lid cover 15 and closes the opening of the inner pot 2. Of these, the decorative cover 16 has a recess 16A formed on the surface thereof, and a steam lid 14A having a steam vent hole for communicating the decorative cover 16 and the inner lid cover 15 is detachably attached to the recess 16A. The inner lid 17 is a disc-shaped lid having a size for closing the opening of the inner pot 2 and is formed of a metal member. The inner lid 17 is provided with a pressure valve constituting the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 and its accessory parts, and a safety valve 25 at a substantially central portion of the upper surface thereof. Further, a seal member P <b> 2 that is in contact with the inner lid cover 15 is attached to the outer periphery of the inner lid 17. Furthermore, a locking member (not shown) is provided on the outer periphery of the inner lid 17 so as to protrude outward and to be locked to the fixing means of the inner lid 17.

Inner lid cover 15, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a fixing portion 6C and the locking mechanism 23 of the rice cooker main body 3 on the surface 15 _1, the pressure valve release mechanism for controlling the pressure of the inner pot 3 18 In addition, a fixing means for detachably fixing the inner lid 17 is provided at the rear portion thereof, and any of stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy having a predetermined thickness, for example, a thickness of 1 to 3 mm, is provided. It is formed of a die-cast molded body made of the above. For example, when aluminum is used as the die-cast molded body, the die-cast molded body is formed by injecting molten aluminum or the like into a mold, and cooling and solidifying. The inner lid cover 15, preferably the back surface 15 ₂ in contact with the frame cover 6 is mirror finished by polishing or the like. The inner lid cover 15 is not limited to a die-cast molded body like the frame cover 6 and may be molded by pressing or cutting a rigid metal material. Similarly to the frame cover 6, when aluminum or an aluminum alloy is used as the die-cast molded body, it is preferable to perform coating with an anti-oxidation clear coat layer or coating with an antioxidant.

In more detail, the inner lid cover 15, as shown in FIG. 3, on the surface 15 _1, pivot portion 15A which is pivotally mounted on the fixing portion 6C of the frame cover 6 at one end which is positioned to the rear, before An attachment portion 15B to which a lid locking mechanism 23 to be engaged with the engagement portion 6D of the frame cover 6 is attached is provided at the other end located at the portion, and a pressure valve release mechanism 18 is provided at a substantially central portion. The pivotal support portion 15A is formed by a pair of flanges 15A ₁ and 15A ₂ having a predetermined interval. These flanges 15A ₁ and 15A ₂ are formed with insertion holes through which the support shaft 21 is inserted. The support shaft 21 is mounted between the pair of flanges 15A ₁ and 15A ₂ via a spring body 22. The spring body 22 is urged in a direction that speeds up the opening when the lid body 14 is opened, and is not closed by the dead weight of the lid body 14 after being opened. The mounting portion 15B includes a pair of flanges 15B ₁ and 15B ₂ protruding to the surface of the inner lid cover 15, and a hole 15B ₀ (see FIG. 2) through which the locking claw 23A of the lid locking mechanism 23 is inserted. a, the hole 15B ₀ has slightly the opening in comparison with the thickness and width length of the locking claw 23A as locking claws 23A can move is large. Each flange 15B ₁ , 15B ₂ is provided with a mounting hole for rotatably attaching the support shaft 24. The support shaft 24 has one end fixed to the locking claw 23A and the locking claw 23A, and is inserted through and supported by an operating piece 23C that swings in accordance with the pressing of the release button 23B. That is, the lid lock mechanism 23 includes a locking claw 23 </ b> A, a release button 23 </ b> B, and an operating piece 23 </ b> C, and the operating piece 23 </ b> C is pivotally supported by the support shaft 24. The inner lid cover 15 is provided with a fixing means (not shown) on the back surface of which the inner lid 17 can be detachably attached.

The inner lid cover 15 having such a configuration is formed of a die-cast molded body as a whole, so that the mechanical strength is increased, and the coupling and locking when mounted on the frame cover 6 are firm. . In particular, by making both the inner lid cover 15 and the frame cover 6 die-cast, the mechanical strength of both members increases, so even if there is an excessive pressure rise and high temperature heating in the pan during cooking Can withstand them. Accordingly, the lid reinforcing member which has been conventionally required is not required, and the adverse effect on the lock mechanism 23 is eliminated. Further, the die-cast molded body does not discolor even when washed with a detergent, has a detergent resistance, is hardly damaged, and has a high durability. Furthermore, the back surface 15 ₂ of the inner lid cover 15, that is, the surface that comes into contact with the frame cover 6 is mirror-finished, so that the cleaning property is improved and the aesthetic appearance, specifically, the high-class feeling can be obtained. on the surface 15 ₁ of the plunger 20 and its ancillaries constituting the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 is provided. Hereinafter, the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 will be described with reference to FIG.

The pressure valve opening mechanism 18 includes a valve seat 19 ₁ having the valve hole 19 _0, the ball 19 a _second metal which is mounted so as to close the valve hole 19 ₀ by the weight on the seat 19 _1, this a cover 19 ₃ for covering the ball 19 _2, and a plunger 20 that moves the ball 19 _2. The pressure valve opening mechanism 18 moves the ball 19 ₂ by operation of the plunger 20, and controls the opening and closing of the valve hole 19 ₀ by the movement of the ball 19 _2. That is, the plunger 20 is of known formed by a rod and the cylinder, the figure when not receiving the output from the control means 30 shown in 5, the ball 19 on the valve hole 19 ₀ rod protrudes from the cylinder ₂ the pressed laterally moved forcibly opening the valve hole 19 _0. Further, when the plunger 20 has received the output of the control means 30, the rod is retracted into the cylinder, the ball 19 ₂ returns over valve hole 19 ₀ by its own weight, the valve hole 19 ₀ is closed. Thus, the plunger 20 operates as the pressure valve opening mechanism 18, and the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 forcibly reduces the pressure in the inner pot 2 that has been pressurized during the rice cooking process. The inner lid 17 is automatically opened when the inside of the inner pan 2 is abnormally pressurized (for example, when the pressure valve fails during rice cooking and does not open) to release the pressure in the inner pan 2. A safety valve 25 is provided.

  Next, with reference to FIG.5 and FIG.6, the rice cooking process using this rice cooker 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control means, and FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the temperature / pressure change and the operating state of the pressure valve opening mechanism in a series of rice cooking processes.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control means 30 includes a microcomputer 31 having input / output units 31 ₁ and 31 ₂ , a control unit 31a, a calculation unit 31b, a time measuring unit 31c, a storage unit 31d, and the like. The microcomputer 31 receives signals from the rice cooking start button, menu selection button, timer, and temperature sensor 9 that detects the temperature of the bottom of the pan provided on the operation panel 10, and heating means (induction coil), pressure valve open These are controlled by sending control signals to the mechanism 18 and the display means 11 and the like.

  The storage unit 31d stores programs for executing various rice cooking menus, for example, a white rice / standard rice cooking menu. Various rice cooking menus have their respective rice cooking processes. As shown in FIG. 6, the rice cooking process includes a water absorption process for absorbing water in the rice to be cooked in the inner pot 2, a rising heating process for heating the absorbed rice at a stretch, and a short time after the rising heating process. In the boiling maintenance process for boiling the inner pot 2 and maintaining this state, the steaming process for steaming the cooked rice after the boiling maintenance process, the first and second processes, and the additional cooking process. Hereinafter, the outline | summary of this rice cooking process is demonstrated.

First, when the rice cooking process is selected by the menu selection button on the operation panel 10 and the rice cooking start button is pressed, a high-frequency current flows through the induction coil provided on the bottom portion 5A of the inner case 5, and eddy current is generated in the inner pot 2. And heating of rice and water in the pan 2 is started. Moved the ball 19 ₂ by operating the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 by the control unit 30 at the same time, water absorption step is carried out by the valve hole 19 ₀ open. When the execution of this water absorption process is started, the time measuring unit 31c starts measuring the water absorption time, and the pan bottom temperature sensor 9 measures the pan bottom temperature. The measurement of the pan bottom temperature is performed until a predetermined temperature, for example, 55 ° C. is reached. This water absorption step is continued for a predetermined water absorption time, for example, 10 minutes. When this water absorption time elapses, the process proceeds to the rising heating process. In this rising heating process, the heating means is fully heated (full power heating) so that the inside of the inner pot 2 is brought into a boiling state in a short time, and the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 is operated by the control means 30 to pull back the rod. the valve hole 19 ₀ is closed by the ball 19 ₂ by. In other words, the ball 19 ₂ becomes the closed state closes the valve hole 19 ₀ lying on the valve hole 19 ₀ by its own weight. In this state, the pressure in the inner pot 2 is increased until it rises to a predetermined pressure value, for example, 1.2 atmospheres. In this rising heating process, the steam temperature is measured by a steam temperature sensor (not shown). When this steam temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, for example, 75 ° C., the rice becomes a temperature at which a boiling phenomenon occurs, and the rising heating process ends. If it transfers to the following boiling maintenance process, the pressure in the inner pot 2 will be a predetermined pressure more than atmospheric pressure, for example, about 1.2 atmospheres, and a to-be-cooked rice will boil at the saturation temperature corresponding to this pressure. In the boiling-preserving process, the opening operation of the valve hole 19 ₀ is performed by by operating the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 moves the ball 19 ₂ by the control unit 30. By forcibly opening operation of the valve hole 19 _0, the pressure of the inner pot in 2 drops suddenly to the vicinity of atmospheric pressure. Thus, when the pressure in the inner pot 2 is reduced from the predetermined boiling pressure (about 1.2 atm) to the vicinity of the atmospheric pressure at once, the inner pot 2 is in a severe bumping state. In this bumping state, bubbles are generated in the inner pot 2 and the rice is stirred by the bubbles. As a result, the rice is heated and cooked uniformly. Predetermined time for forcibly opening the valve hole 19 ₀ is defined to the first valve hole 19 ₀ to the extent that the pressure of the inner pot in 2 Forced opening operation returns substantially to atmospheric pressure Time (i.e. about 4 seconds) ing. Force the time to open the atmospheric pressure valve hole 19 ₀ By setting in this way, so that it is possible to obtain a large stirring energy. Further, after the forced opening of the valve hole 19 ₀ Been the predetermined time (4 seconds), the valve hole 19 ₀ again actuates the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 are closed, a predetermined time, for example 28 seconds again heated To do. In addition, this heating time (28 seconds) is time required for the pressure in the inner pot 2 to recover | restore to the above-mentioned predetermined pressure (about 1.2 atmospheres). This time is obtained experimentally in advance. Then, after the heating for 28 seconds, the plunger 20 may be operated again to cause the bumping described above. This forced opening of the pressure valve by the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 is repeated a plurality of times, for example, six times. Upon completion of the operation for opening a plurality of times the valve hole 19 _0, the control of the pressure valve opening mechanism 18 is stopped, is the valve hole 19 ₀ closed. And the boiling state by a heating means is continued and a pan bottom temperature is measured. When the pan bottom temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, for example, 130 ° C., it is determined that the water in the inner pan 2 has dried up and the forced dry-up has been completed, so the heating action by the heating means is stopped. Subsequently, one steaming process is started, and the timing of the steaming time is started. Predetermined steaming time a predetermined time, after a lapse of example 4 minutes, the valve seat 19 ₁ of the pressure valve is forcibly opened by the pressure valve opening mechanism 18, it is shifted to the reheating process. When entering this additional cooking step, the water is reheated by the heating means to evaporate the water adhering to the surface of the rice, and the additional cooking (reheating) time is measured. And when predetermined | prescribed additional cooking time, for example, 3 minutes passes, the heating operation by a heating means will be stopped, it will transfer to 2 steps of steaming, and the steaming time will be timed. And when steaming time passes for a predetermined time, for example, 5 minutes, rice cooking is complete | finished, it transfers to a heat retention process, and a standard rice cooking process is complete | finished.

  As described above, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, the lid 14 is deformed by the pressure generated in the opening of the inner pot 2 by forming the frame cover 6 and the inner lid cover 15 with a die-cast molded body. In addition, there is no need to provide a reinforcing member on the inner lid cover 15. In the above embodiment, the frame cover 6 and the inner lid cover 15 are each formed of a die-cast molded body, but only one of them is a die-cast molded body and the other is formed of another member. You may make it do.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an electric rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention with a lid opened. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 with the lid closed. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an inner lid cover of the rice cooker of FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the inner lid cover of the rice cooker of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control means. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the temperature / pressure change and the operating state of the pressure valve opening mechanism in a series of rice cooking processes.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric rice cooker 2 Inner pan 3 Rice cooker main body 4 Exterior case 4a Ladder 5 Inner case (storage case)
6 Frame cover 6A Opening 6B Peripheral part 6C Fixing part 6D Locking part 9 Temperature sensor 10 Operation panel 11 Display device 14 Lid 15 Inner lid cover 16 Cosmetic cover 17 Inner lid 18 Pressure valve release mechanism 23 (lid body) Lock mechanism 30 Control means

Claims (11)

  A rice cooker having an inner pot made of a cylindrical container with an opening at the top and an opening in which the inner pot is accommodated, and provided with heating means for cooking the cooked food in the inner pot. A main body, and an opening of the inner pot and the rice cooker main body, one end pivotally attached to the rice cooker main body, and the other end pivotally locked to the rice cooker main body by a lock mechanism. In the rice cooker provided, the outer periphery of the opening of the rice cooker body is covered with a frame cover, and at least one of the frame cover and the lid is formed of a rigid metal material. Rice cooker.   The lid includes an inner lid cover that closes an opening of the rice cooker body and a decorative cover that covers an upper surface of the inner lid cover, and at least one of the inner lid cover and the frame cover is the rigid member. It is formed with the metal material, The rice cooker of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.   A hinge mechanism is formed at one end of the outer peripheral edge of the inner lid cover, a fixing part to which a lid locking mechanism is attached is formed at the other end, and the hinge mechanism is formed at one end of the opening peripheral edge of the frame cover. The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein a fixed portion to which the lid is pivoted is formed, and an attachment portion to which the lid lock mechanism is attached is provided at the other end.   The rice cooker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner lid cover is mounted on its upper surface by a detachable fixing means for closing the inner lid that closes the opening of the inner pot.   The rice cooker according to claim 4, wherein the inner lid cover is provided with a pressure valve opening mechanism, and a pressure valve member operated by the pressure valve opening mechanism is provided on an upper surface of the inner lid. .   The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the inner lid cover and the frame cover formed of the rigid metal material has a mirror-finished surface facing each other.   The said inner lid cover is formed of the said rigid metal material, The fan for the said inner lid cover cooling is arrange | positioned between this inner lid cover and the said decorative cover. Rice cooker.   The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein at least one of a heat insulating material and a heat shield plate is disposed on an upper surface of the inner lid cover.   The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a U-shaped barb made of a rigid member whose both ends are rotatably fixed to a side surface of the rice cooker body is provided. vessel.   The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the rigid metal material is a die-cast molded body, a molded body formed by pressing or cutting.   The rigid metal material is formed of stainless steel, aluminum, or an alloy thereof, and when the rigid metal material is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the surface thereof is subjected to an antioxidant process. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images